Chinese zodiac · 9 of 12
申 The Monkey
The Monkey is the zodiac's problem-solver. Its branch 申 (Shēn) begins autumn, when Metal energy arrives. Monkeys are clever, playful and inventive, with a knack for finding a way around any obstacle.
- Branch
- 申 Shēn
- Fixed element
- Metal
- Polarity
- Yang
- Direction
- West-southwest (WSW)
- Hours
- 3 – 5 pm
- Solar month starts
- about 8 Aug (Start of Autumn)
Monkey years and their elements
Each Monkey year also carries one of the five elements, so a Monkey born in 1984 (Wood) differs from one born in 1996 (Fire). The year changes at Li Chun, the Start of Spring, not on Chinese New Year. If you were born in January or early February, check the start date below.
| Year | Pillar | Starts (Li Chun) | Ends before |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1932 | 壬申 Yang Water Monkey | 5 Feb 1932 | 4 Feb 1933 |
| 1944 | 甲申 Yang Wood Monkey | 5 Feb 1944 | 4 Feb 1945 |
| 1956 | 丙申 Yang Fire Monkey | 5 Feb 1956 | 4 Feb 1957 |
| 1968 | 戊申 Yang Earth Monkey | 5 Feb 1968 | 4 Feb 1969 |
| 1980 | 庚申 Yang Metal Monkey | 5 Feb 1980 | 4 Feb 1981 |
| 1992 | 壬申 Yang Water Monkey | 4 Feb 1992 | 4 Feb 1993 |
| 2004 | 甲申 Yang Wood Monkey | 4 Feb 2004 | 4 Feb 2005 |
| 2016 | 丙申 Yang Fire Monkey | 4 Feb 2016 | 3 Feb 2017 |
| 2028 | 戊申 Yang Earth Monkey | 4 Feb 2028 | 3 Feb 2029 |
Monkey personality
These are the traits tradition associates with the Monkey. Your full BaZi chart, especially your Day Master, shapes you more than your year animal alone.
- Clever, curious and quick-witted
- Inventive problem-solvers
- Sociable and funny
- Adaptable in changing situations
Watch out for: Monkeys can be restless and easily bored. They may cut corners or play tricks that go too far.
Monkey at work
Monkeys do well in fast-moving problem-solving roles: technology, marketing, trading, engineering and entertainment. These are traditional associations; your Day Master and the rest of your chart matter more.
Monkey compatibility
The Snake is the Monkey's six-harmony partner; the Rat and Dragon complete its three-harmony group. The Tiger is its opposite, so Monkey–Tiger pairings need clear roles.
| Relationship | Sign | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Six harmony (六合) | Snake | The closest natural match; easy teamwork. |
| Three harmony (三合) | Rat and Dragon | Allies who share goals and energy. |
| Clash (六冲) | Tiger | Opposite sign; needs patience and clear talk. |
| Harm (六害) | Pig | Prone to small misunderstandings. |
Feng shui tips for the Monkey
The Monkey is Yang Metal, supported by Earth and refined by Fire. White, silver and gold accents and round shapes suit it. Its direction is West-southwest. A Monkey's workspace needs order, because its busy mind benefits from a calm, organised desk.
Your year animal gives general guidance. For directions that fit you personally, find your Kua Number; it is based on your birth year and gender and gives four favourable and four unfavourable directions.
The Monkey in 2026 and 2027
The Fire Horse year is neutral for the Monkey, though Fire tempers Metal. Treat it as a year of learning and refinement: polish skills rather than scatter energy.
2027 (Fire Goat) is broadly neutral for your sign.
Clash, harm and harmony pairings follow fixed traditional rules. They describe tendencies to be aware of, not fixed outcomes.